Rochester, Mich. — It has been 10 years since officials of the Oakland University’s Center for Autism Research have decided to start the OUCARES Film Camp— a decision inspired by a documentary they’ve seen of an individual living with autism.
When the film camp was still on its planning stage, OUCARES officials tried to reach out to film industry Joey Travolta to seek advice.
Little did they know they were going to get so much more.
He offered to take charge of the film camp— which would later on serve as a template for other similar programs in the country.
Travolta hopes not only to train students to write, direct, and star in their own films, he also hopes to instill life skills on them as they learn. He wants them to learn the importance of communication, collaboration, and confidence.
He told:
“We’re creating opportunities. Whether they become filmmakers or not, you’re still getting those life skills to go out into the workforce.”
This year’s film camp concluded Friday, and the films created by the students will premier for the public in a red carpet event to be held sometime at the end of October this year.
The film camp’s latest batch of students are aged 10 to 20 years old.
OUCARES is the outreach arm of the Oakland University Center for Autism Research.
Source: Paul Kampe Maycomb in Daily Oakland University film camp for autistic youths reaches 10-year plateau